The co-leader of the conservative Japan Restoration Party claims Japan’s constitution was forcibly established by occupying forces and needs to be amended.

NHK reports Shintaro Ishihara said during a recent lecture that occupying forces coerced Tokyo to form its current constitution shortly after Japan was defeated in the second World War.

Ishihara stressed the need to gather support to amend the constitution, saying the Japan Restoration Party takes up challenges other parties won't.